SEPT. LANDRAILS — WHITE SEA-EAGLE. 287 



summer season, excepting in the case of a single 

 disabled bird. 



The landrail is seldom seen here after the corn is 

 cut, notwithstanding the great numbers which breed 

 in the neighbourhood. It is peculiarly a summer 

 bird ; and although its cry is hoarse and inhar- 

 monious, I never hear it without pleasure, associated 

 as it has become in my mind with the fine light 

 nights of June and May. A fearless little bird it 

 is, too, when caught uninjured. I have seen it 

 immediately after being made a prisoner, and 

 while held in the hand, peck at and catch with won- 

 derful rapidity and precision any flies that might 

 pitch within its reach. Its manner of departure 

 from this country would appear to be still unex- 

 plained, as it is never seen en route either by lands- 

 men or sailors. When this and other insectivorous 

 birds leave us, winter visitors arrive. The turn- 

 stone, a bird that breeds in Norway, arrives in this 

 country at the first commencement of the month, 

 but appears only to make it a temporary resting- 

 place on its way to the south. 



Like many other birds, the eagle sometimes ex- 

 hibits great changes in the colour of his plumage. 

 This year during the month of September I saw a 

 freshly killed sea-eagle, whose colour was a fine 

 silvery white, without the slightest mixture of brown. 



